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Stoke ease Wilson back into action following broken leg

Stoke City defender Marc Wilson is hoping for a run out in the behind-closed-doors friendly against Northampton.
The Potters' full-back has been in training with the first-team squad this week as he steps up his rehabilitation from a broken suffered against Sunderland in October.

Assistant manager Dave Kemp is hopeful the 25 year old will get the nod to make an appearance during the game.

He said: "There will be quite a few senior pros playing in the game and, fingers crossed, Marc will be one of them.

"He has been coming along nicely in training and we will take advice from the physios before deciding whether this is the game for him.

"Hopefully it is because we all want to see Marc back as soon as possible because he's such a big player for us.

"He's been a big loss for us," admitted Kemp. "He's done brilliantly for us, so much so that he played for Ireland at left-back before his injury.

"That's a measure of how well he's done and what an adaptable and quality player he is."